The nationwide increase in covid-19 cases is somewhat mirrored in Howard County. The Howard County Public Health Department has confirmed 18 new cases on Friday and nine on Thursday. 

The national average is 19,879 cases per 100,000 people. To date, Howard county has averaged 12,249 cases per 100,000 people. 

In the last seven days, Howard County has had 55 confirmed cases of the covid-19 virus, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Service. As of Monday, January 16, the state has recorded 59,284 new cases of the virus, with 32 confirmed deaths over the last seven days. Missouri currently averages one death for every 200,000 people due to covid-19.

Howard County has had 1,225 confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic and 16 deaths, according to the state’s DHS.

In a post to its Facebook page, the Howard County health department said that due to a recent Missouri court ruling and a subsequent letter from the Attorney General of Missouri to all Missouri local public health departments, the Howard County Public Health Department will no longer be calling those county residents testing positive for covid-19. “In lieu of a phone call, we will be mailing letters. Individuals are still welcome to call the health department for questions,” the post read.

The department announced last week that it would post updated numbers regarding active covid-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths on its Facebook page on Wednesday, January 19.

The Howard County health department will hold a clinic to administer covid-19 primary, second, and booster shots from 4:30 until 6 p.m. on Monday, January 24. Those interested in getting the vaccine should call (660) 248-3100 to make an appointment.

The Fayette R-III School District reported on its website Friday that there were 14 positive cases combined among members of the staff and student body. Seven cases were reported at the high school, five at the elementary school, and two among the middle school.

CMU DELAYS START OF 

SPRING SEMESTER

The opening of the spring semester at Central Methodist University has been delayed by a week due to the surge of covid cases nationally and in the state of Missouri.

In-person classes on the Fayette campus will now begin on Monday, January 24. Online classes began as originally scheduled on Tuesday, January 18.

University officials emailed students, faculty, and staff with the information on Wednesday.

“We’re taking these steps to keep our students and our employees safe,” said Provost Rita Gulstad. “We’re excited to have everyone back on campus and get the semester started.”

Central has reinstated its mandatory mask policy indoors and at athletic events.